Senate votes to launch debate on repeal of Obamacare
WASHINGTON — Prodded by President Donald Trump, the Senate voted Tuesday to move forward with the Republicans’ long-promised legislation to repeal and replace “Obamacare.” There was high drama as Sen. John McCain returned to the Capitol for the first time after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast a decisive “yes” vote.
The final tally was 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking the tie after two Republicans joined all 48 Democrats in voting “no.”
With all senators in their seats, the vote was held open at length before McCain, 80, entered the chamber. Greeted by cheers, he smiled and dispensed hugs — but with the scars from recent surgery starkly visible on the left side of his face.
At the White House, Trump praised the Senate for moving forward on the reform of the nation’s troubled health care system.
“I’m very happy to announce that, with zero of the Democrats’ votes, the motion to proceed on health care has just passed. And now we move forward toward truly great health care for the American people,” Trump said. “This was a big step. I want to thank Senator John McCain — very brave man.”
At its most basic, the Republican
legislation is aimed at undoing Obamacare’s unpopular mandates for most people to carry insurance and businesses to offer it. The GOP would repeal Obamacare taxes and unwind an expansion of the Medicaid program. The result would be 20 million to 30 million people would no longer be forced to pay for insurance coverage they don’t want, depending on the version of the bill.
Tuesday’s vote amounted to a procedural hurdle for legislation whose final form is impossible to predict under the Senate’s byzantine amendment process, which will unfold over the next several days.
McConnell said the Senate will “let the voting take us where it will.” The expectation is that he will bring up a series of amendments, including a straight-up repeal and fuller replacement legislation, to see where consensus may lie.
After seven years, it was the Senate’s first concrete step toward delivering on pledges to undo former President Barack Obama’s law. It came a week after many media pundits declared the effort to be dead.
But Trump summoned senators to the White House last week to order them to try again.
“The people who sent us here expect us to begin this debate, to have the courage to tackle the tough issues,” McConnell said ahead of the vote.
Democrats stood stubbornly opposed, and in an obstructionist maneuver they sat in their seats refusing to vote until it was clear Republicans would be able to reach the 50-vote margin needed to get them over the top with Pence’s help.
“Turn back,” said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “Turn back now, before it’s too late.”
Several GOP senators who’d announced they would oppose moving forward with the legislation reversed themselves to vote “yes.” Among them were Dean Heller of Nevada, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
The two Republicans voting “no” were Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.